Slow Hand (Hot Cowboy Nights, #1)(35)

He cocked a brow at her. “You sure you can handle that?”

She took a bigger swig, hoping it would work some magic on her nerves. She offered him the bottle.

He raised a hand. “I don’t drink that stuff…not anymore.” When she would have asked why, he shook his head. “I don’t care to talk about it.”

“Fine, be that way,” she snapped, her nerves ever tighter.

How the hell was she ever going to get through this night? Stillness followed, punctuated by pops and sparks from the fire. She scooted closer, wishing she’d brought warmer clothes. The temperature had dropped at least thirty degrees since they’d arrived and Wade had warned her it could get well below freezing before morning.

Wade had settled his length on the floor, crossing his booted ankles, one hand propped under his head studying her. The silence lengthened, thickening the air until she felt compelled to break it again. “How do you entertain yourselves up here with no TV, Internet, or even a radio?”

“Usually we’re too tired to think about anything besides food and sleep.”

“It is a hard life, isn’t it?”

“Ranching is a damned hard way of life. People kill themselves just to get by, but they’re just as proud as they are tenacious.”

“And close-knit too, aren’t they? Like your family.”

“Yeah. I guess we’re pretty tight.”

“I always wished for that kind of family.”

“Did you?” He grimaced. “It isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.”

“You just take it for granted because you’ve never known anything else.”

“I s’pose you’re right. What else do you wish for, Nikki? What do you want out of life?”

“I don’t know,” she replied. “I guess maybe that’s part of why I came to Montana. Not just to say good-bye to Daddy, but to figure it out.”

“I’m sorry this trip has turned into such a mess for you.”

“It hasn’t been all bad.” She darted a gaze at him and then took another sip from the bottle. “I have to admit there’ve been a few redeeming moments.”

His mouth twitched. “Are you sure you want to drink any more of that? Seems to me you got to feeling pretty raw the last time you drank.”

“I overdid it because you encouraged me,” she accused.

“Yeah, well, that’s debatable, since you ordered the shots. Either way I’d rather you kept a clear head tonight.” He sat up and took the bottle from her hands.

“Why’s that? Are you implying I can’t trust you?”

“You can trust me, sweetheart. I’m just wondering if you can trust yourself.”

“Why you deluded jackass! If you haven’t noticed, I’ve managed just fine to keep my hands off you,” she uttered the bold-faced lie. In reality, it was all she could do to keep her hands off him.

“Is that so? Then why’d you come up here with me?”

The directness of his question threw her off balance.

“I—I had lot of reasons—the scenery, riding the horse, the nature experience.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes, that’s all,” she insisted. “And now all I want is a warm bed. You said we’d be getting up early, right?”

“Yeah. Before sunrise.”

“Then I’m going to turn in.” She nodded to the cots. “Which one’s mine?”

“Take your pick,” he replied.

She dragged the nearest one closer to the fire, and unrolled her sleeping bag thinking she’d soon be snugly and safely cocooned but knew she wouldn’t sleep. She was strung so tight she thought she’d snap, but her agitation worsened when she realized she had to answer nature’s call.

“Wade, where are the…er…facilities?”

“Facilities?” He shook his head with a chuckle. “I’m sorry, Nikki. I know it’s a bit rough on a woman, but you’ll just need to pick a spot out behind the cabin and squat—unless you want to use a coffee can inside.”

“No, thank you! Do you at least have a flashlight?”

He rose, got one from his pack, and handed it to her. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“No. I can manage,” she answered tersely.

“All right, but stay close by, OK? I wouldn’t want you to meet up with any new four-legged friends.”

Her throat went dry. “You mean wolves?”

“Wolves, bears, coyotes, or maybe a mountain lion. There’s lots of nocturnal prowlers up here.”

“Maybe I can hold it until morning, after all.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. C’mon.” He took her by the arm and guided her to the door.

“But I have a shy bladder, Wade. I won’t be able to go if you’re standing nearby.”

“I won’t be. I need to answer the call too. I’ll just stay close enough to hear you if you need me.”

He opened the door and the night air hit them like an arctic blast. “Looks like the first frost of the season,” Wade remarked, his breath forming a smoky white vapor. “Snow will come early.”

“Great. Just great,” she mumbled as she walked past. “I get to pee icicles.”